Paul Zaza
Encyclopedia
Paul Zaza is a Genie Award
-winning film score
and songwriter
. In 1980 he won the Genie Award for Best Music Score alongside Carl Zittrer for their work on Murder by Decree
. He was nominated for the same award in 1985 for Isaac Littlefeathers. In 1987 he received a Genie nomination for Best Original Song alongside Peter Simpson for the film Bullies
. In contrast, in 1986 he was nominated for the Razzie Award for Worst Musical Score for the film Turk 182
. He also composed the theme music for Mr. Wizard's World.
Zaza wrote the new television theme song for the 1993 Canadian remake of Osamu Tezuka
's anime, Kimba the White Lion
in Toronto
.
Genie Award
Genie Awards are given out to recognize the best of Canadian cinema by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. From 1949-1979, the awards were named the Canadian Film Awards...
-winning film score
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. In 1980 he won the Genie Award for Best Music Score alongside Carl Zittrer for their work on Murder by Decree
Murder by Decree
Murder by Decree is an Anglo-Canadian thriller film involving Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson in the case of the serial murderer Jack the Ripper...
. He was nominated for the same award in 1985 for Isaac Littlefeathers. In 1987 he received a Genie nomination for Best Original Song alongside Peter Simpson for the film Bullies
Bullies
Bullies is a 1986 Canadian action-drama film about a feud between two families in a small town in a similar vein to the story of Romeo and Juliet...
. In contrast, in 1986 he was nominated for the Razzie Award for Worst Musical Score for the film Turk 182
Turk 182
Turk 182! is a 1985 film starring Timothy Hutton, Robert Urich, Kim Cattrall, Robert Culp and Peter Boyle. It is also one of the first movies to receive a PG-13 rating.-Film synopsis:...
. He also composed the theme music for Mr. Wizard's World.
Zaza wrote the new television theme song for the 1993 Canadian remake of Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka
was a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
's anime, Kimba the White Lion
Kimba the White Lion
, known in the United States as Kimba the White Lion, is an anime series from the 1960s. Created by Osamu Tezuka and based on his manga of the same title which began publication in 1950, it was the first color animated television series created in Japan. The manga was first published in serialized...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Filmography
- Murder by DecreeMurder by DecreeMurder by Decree is an Anglo-Canadian thriller film involving Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson in the case of the serial murderer Jack the Ripper...
- A Christmas StoryA Christmas StoryA Christmas Story is a 1983 American Christmas comedy film based on the short stories and semi-fictional anecdotes of author and raconteur Jean Shepherd, including material from his books In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories. It was directed by Bob Clark...
- My Summer StoryMy Summer StoryIt Runs in the Family is a 1994 film that follows the further adventures of Ralphie Parker and his family from the holiday hit A Christmas Story...
- To Catch a KillerTo Catch a Killer"To Catch A Killer" is a television film from 1992, directed by Eric Till and starring Brian Dennehy and Michael Riley. It is based on the true story of the pursuit of American serial killer John Wayne Gacy.- Plot summary :...
- Baby GeniusesBaby GeniusesBaby Geniuses is a 1999 family-oriented comedy film directed by Bob Clark, rated PG for "some rude behavior and dialogue". It stars Kathleen Turner and Christopher Lloyd....
- Prom Night
- GhostkeeperGhostkeeperGhostkeeper is a 1981 independent Canadian horror film directed by Jim Makichuk. The story centers on a trio of snowmobilers in the Canadian Rockies who become stranded at an abandoned hotel where an old woman seems to be hiding something. The film is rather obscure and very little-known of among...
- Now & Forever
- Flesh Gordon Meets the Cosmic CheerleadersFlesh Gordon Meets the Cosmic CheerleadersFlesh Gordon Meets the Cosmic Cheerleaders is the sequel to the sex comedy Flesh Gordon...
- Blown AwayBlown Away (1992 film)Blown Away is a 1992 erotic thriller film starring Corey Haim, Nicole Eggert and Corey Feldman.- Plot :After her mother dies in a car accident, 17 year-old Megan lives a reckless lifestyle. She begins a relationship with Rich , who works at her father's ski resort...
- Norman's Awesome ExperienceNorman's Awesome ExperienceNorman's Awesome Experience is a 1989 Canadian time-travel adventure comedy written and directed by Paul Donovan. Shot under the title A Switch in Time, the film was retitled to capitalize on the success of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure...
- My Bloody ValentineMy Bloody Valentine (film)My Bloody Valentine is a 1981 Canadian slasher film released in the wake of the popularity of the slasher genre that had overtaken the 1970s...
- Turk 182Turk 182Turk 182! is a 1985 film starring Timothy Hutton, Robert Urich, Kim Cattrall, Robert Culp and Peter Boyle. It is also one of the first movies to receive a PG-13 rating.-Film synopsis:...
- In Her DefenseIn Her DefenseIn Her Defense is a 1998 thriller directed by Sidney J. Furie.Lawyer Andrew Garfield begins having an affair with a deaf woman, played by Marlee Matlin, when one day her husband catches them. Andrew Garfield then kills him. From then on in the film, the lawyer must defend his lover who's blamed for...
- Grizzly FallsGrizzly FallsGrizzly Falls is a film from 1999 about a boy and a bear, set in British Columbia in the early 20th century.-Plot:The film starts with an old man, Harry Banks telling his grandson and granddaughter about his life as a young boy in the early 20th century.The tale begins: Harry as a boy is in his...
- Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II
- Prom Night III: The Last Kiss
- The Kidnapping of the PresidentThe Kidnapping of the PresidentThe Kidnapping of the President is a 1980 political thriller film made by Presidential Films and Sefel Films and distributed by Crown International Pictures. It was produced and directed by George Mendeluk and co-produced by John Ryan from a screenplay by Richard Murphy and Charles Templeton,...
- CurtainsCurtains (film)Curtains is a 1983 Canadian horror film. Though a fairly obscure film, Curtains has gained some underground cult status among fans of the slasher film genre, many of whom cite the 'ice skating' murder scene as the film's memorable highlight...
- Porky'sPorky'sPorky's is a 1982 comedy film about the escapades of teenagers at the fictional Angel Beach High School in Florida in 1954. It was released in the United States in 1982, and spawned two sequels: Porky's II: The Next Day and Porky's Revenge! and influenced many writers in the teen film genre...